Blondie 'N' SC

Kitchen Inspiration~

They say the Kitchen is the heart of the home....and it seems to be true with the immense amount of activity in my kitchen. I only have one child, imagine living with 3 or 4 or...never mind I can't imagine it! When we have parties everyone seems to linger in the kitchen so it only seemed right when it came to the decision:

Kitchen Vs. Backyard.

As much as I would love a Great backyard, the kitchen won over 10 fold.  I had quite a few inspiration photos to help me when we decided to take the plunge and re-do our kitchen. So, I thought before I show you what we did I would post some inspiration photos for you to drool over, and perhaps get some ideas if you are in the market to update/upgrade or completely re-do your kitchen.

Now please don't get mad at me if you had no intention to touch your kitchen and after this post you want to tear down walls, buy new appliances and invest your 401k in Subway tile, I just can't be held responsible. I can however take the heat for being an instigator!

Ok with that being said....Here we go~

 

I love when you get to see details of the kitchen, the bits and bobs, the knooks and crannies that make each kitchen so special.

 

Subway tile, be still my beating heart...I heart you sooo much, even the color!

 

 

Country Living

  

 

 

I love this kitchen from the tile to the lights to the HUGE window behind the sink...not to mention the hard wood floors and the great cabinetry...

 

House Beautiful

Whoops sorry, wrong upload file...but I wouldn't mind being here either...not one bit!

 

 

 

 

Love the glass in the cabinets and the fun colored light, such a peaceful beach feel to this kitchen.

I can almost taste the salt from the ocean in the air...can you?

 

Coastal Living

So if you feel so inclined to come back tomorrow...I dug around on my computer and found some pictures of our kitchen, the "before" and "during" and the "afters" if you will.

Now i must warn you, they don't compare to these beauties. We worked within a small budget and did the necessary replacements to help bring the kitchen to par, my par that is!

Anyhoo, there I go blabbering away...

Til we meet again tomorrow...may you have a sand in your toes, breeze in your hair sun filled kind of day!

XO~

P.S. Thanks for all your sweet comments on my parents new Casa. Once my mom gets her computer up and running again, I will tell her to read the comments, I know she will be tickled PINK!

MUwahhhhhh!!! kisses for you!

 

 

Finally..Movin' on in~

My parents have worked really hard over a long period of time to achieve this dream/goal, as much I hated to see them move from me (we used live 5 minutes, 2 stop lights from each other 2 years ago) I am so tickled to see all the hard work paying off!

They both deserve this dream home in so many ways and it has taken years to get to where they wanted to be....so I just wanted to say, " Welcome home Mom and Dad, Welcome home"! Did I just sound like Ty Pennington from "Extremem Home Makeover"? **giggle**

....so without further A-do~

Welcome to:

The Beach Cottage:

~ La Cucina~

 

 

 

 

 

Sorry, I just need to add that I have a love/ hate relationship with the stove, love this big fella here, but never seem to have the time to cook. However, my mom is an excellent cook...so I will just be over for dinner A lot, did I say A lot?

 Good, mom I mean it!

 

~ La Dutch Door~

 

 

~La Built in China Buffet~

 

~La Grandeous flat screen & fireplace~

 

~La Guest Bathroom~

 

 

~La Grand Staircase~

 

 

~uh, uhm...La Bathroom de Tara~

 

Yes, you read that right, I have my own bathroom and bedroom here at the beach cottage....

Say it with me..."SPOILED".

I. am. o.k. with. it.

 

 

 

Detailed wood work runs throughout the whole house...

 

~ La Grand Master Bedroom~

 

 

~ La Gorgeous Claw foot Tub~

 

 

 

 

 

~ La Walk in Master Closet~

Yes, girls there would be enough room for all your clothes and shoes and purses!

***sigh***

 

 

~La Grand Ceiling~

 

 

So there you have it, well kinda...I am laughing because I forgot to take a picture of the front of the house, however I have a few of these:

 

Oh what? You want more, let me see...

 

I can keep going if you want...te hee!! I have about 4,000 more of the back of my little punk for your viewing pleasure if you like?

I'll spare you and move along.

Here is a sneak peek of the furniture...it is new too...can you say SPOILED?

 

 

 

That is an ottoman with sea grass...be-still my beating heart!

There is a lot more to come, once they get the cottage all decorated. So stay tuned, I promise you won't be disappointed...that is unless they take the offer and sell the to the man from LA who wanted to buy it without seeing the inside..!!

Who does that?

If I remember I will also get a picture of the front of the house...

but for now I leave you with this:

 

Hey there blondie...ya you running away from me,

Say "bye bye" to the sweet girls that read this blog....

"bye Bye...Muahhhh!"

{{that was a smooch if you weren't sure, my punk smooches to strangers...is that odd?}}

He's just like his mommy...I smooch strangers too! Although, I try not to make it a habit~

XOXO~

 

 

The Waiting period~

I have been coveting these items from Anthropologie for some time now.

So, I just have some questions for you?

 What is the waiting period to buy something?

For instance if you have been dreaming about certain items for a few months, is it warranted that you should be able to go and purchase them without pangs of guilt?

Or, if you have gone to visit these items several times over the course of a few weeks on lunch breaks, am I allowed to buy them now?

Has the allotted amount of time passed?...because I should confess if you live near the closest Anthro to me these items have a small amount of drool on them...I'm just sayin'!!

I thought about licking them, just so others would know I have claimed my property, but I held back. Actually, the sales girl was starring at me, and well I thought that might be a little odd...ya know... the whole licking thing...I dunno I could be wrong.

I should have gone through with it anyway huh?

***sigh***

Should I just put myself out of my misery and buy them?

But I don't really need them....do I?

When is it ok to buy something when you don't really NEED it?

Can you tell I have a small inner battle going on?

It hurts, A LOT!

HELP!

I'm driving the pool man nuts..Nuts I tell ya!

He's tired of hearing about it, so I came to you, my dear sweet friends....looking for advice.

I am all ears...

Why oh why Anthro do you have to be so irresistible?

Why?

 

 

 

Welcome~

Ahh.... it is you!!

I am so glad you came by to visit for the day.

 Come on in and stay awhile.

 Sit anywhere you like and what the heck take your shoes off and get comfy.

Can I offer you something to drink?

 

I have been baking all night for your arrival. Please, don't mind the mess....

 

I also got all dolled up for our party.

 

 

What? You didn't know I was having a party?

Well I didn't either, it was a last minute idea really...

 

But, who can resist a party? I know I can't!

So in your honor I made these for you.

 

As my way of saying "thanks" for all your wonderful encouragement.

 

All your fabulous comments, and well for just being YOU!

I have enjoyed my short stay here at blondiensc so much and have met some amazing and talented women along the way. I feel I have also made some friends if you will. **wink wink~

 

So today, today it is all about YOU, and my gratitude for YOU.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU!!!

Indulge.

Enjoy.

Don't worry about the crumbs.

Have two for goodness sakes!

Be merry!!

May your weekend be filled with everything sweet and perhaps bring an abundance of EXTRA sprinkles on your cupcakes!

XOXO~

 

{Don't forget to check out Sweet Kasey too!}

Vintage Dress & Pettie Coat~ Ebay

Black Shoes~ Ebay

Necklace- Forever 21

Cupcakes (you didn't really think I made those now... did you?)~ Sprinkles

 

 

Vintage Suitcases~

I never thought of myself as a collector, but lately I found myself collecting these:

 

I don't know what it is about these beauties, but I just can't resist them. When I am out shopping and I see one, it takes everything in me not to buy just 1 more vin~tage suitcase!

What can it hurt, right?

Honestly....I don't have any room in my cottage for just 1 more suitcase...

 

So, the other day when my girlfriend mentioned she had some old suitcases in her garage that she didn't want anymore....

she must have felt the excitement I was trying to hide because,

she proceeded to ask me if I wanted them.....

 

What do you think I told her?

 

Oh, the suspense... I know it will just kill you.

Til' we meet again, tell me what you collect?

What makes your heart skip a beat and your coin purse empty?

XOXO~

 

Photos Credits via Flickr: 1. Veronica TM 2. Bubbo Tubbo  3. Suzanneduda 4. Mollypop

 

Antique French Writing Desk~

I decided to join in on the "Sanctuary Arts Makeover Open House"....

So here we go!

I saw the title of the ad: "Antique French Writing Desk" and knew I had to have it. I am the kind of girl that usually finds a way to get what I want. But, I hardly pay full price for it and I am willing to sacrifice something. Children not included, husband...maybe it depends what kind of a day I have having! Just kidding, love ya honey!

So, One I didn't pay full price for this desk and two I sacrificedd my old desk. Ok, it really wasn't a sacrifice, I hated the thing. 

I searched Craig's list high and low for a Vintage/Antique desk and low and behold this one popped up:

                    

                                    

I fell in love. I had to have it. I had to get my dirty hands on this desk before someone else did.  I bolted home took pictures of my old desk, threw them on Craig's list and sold it a day later. The pool man laughs at me, I spare no expense when I want something.

 I e-mailed the lady who owned the desk. I tried to bargain. It was originally $350.00, but I didn't have anywhere near that. I got $150.00 for my desk so I was on my way. We went back and forth on e-mail. She wouldn't budge. I was devastated I had to have that desk. Had too, It was meant to be in my loft. It fit. We fit. I had butterflies when I looked at it and of course she sent more pictures over for me to drool over. RUDE.

 

I waited for two days. I plotted. I schemed. I dreamed about it. I obsessed over it, like I usually do when I want something. I whined to the pool man, who had the nerve to walk away from me. I e-mailed her again and said " I have $225.00 in CASH, that is all. I can't get anymore money. I am dried up. You have to help me here. I might just shrivel up and die if I can't have it."

She had the nerve to write back and ask for $250.00. Were her and the pool man plotting against me? SAVAGES.

I couldn't take it anymore. I said "FINE. I'll take it". I began to rummaged through my dressers. The car. The attic. The Pool Man's truck which I only do when I am desperate. The "things" I find in there are well let's just say I have no idea what he does with those "things". SPOOKY. I managed to find some more Cash and I picked up the desk and brought it home.

                             

And it sat outside.

For days.

It rained. So we brought it in.

And it sat in my Kitchen for a few more days.

Then I tackled it. We tackled it. Not literally, but almost. Sanded it. Primed it.

                               

                                         

           We painted it black.                

 All Black. 

::Sigh::

I added some crystal knobs that I had stored away on each drawer.

    

 

It was lovely.

I was filled with Joy.

I had WON! I love that feeling!

Now it sits in my Eclectic Loft . So every time I walk upstairs I see it.

In all it's shinning glory.

Man am I good or what? Wait, don't answer that! Te hee...

Cheers to getting what you want. But not paying what they ask!

Thanks Jen for letting me participate in the Make over Open House!!

 

Bits & Bobs~

 

It all started with this:

 

An olde VW Bus....hand painted by Mr. Waterman above my baby's crib.

 

Before I go one step further on this mini makeover, you must go to Mr. Waterman's website and see just how fab~u~lous he is....You will die when you see what this guy can create. D.I.E.

But, come back soon...

After that was painted above my son's crib, and soon to be toddler bed if the pool man doesn't stop showing him how to climb out. I caught him teaching my son this and couldn't believe my eyes. I will stop there and probably don't have to tell you that I bopped him upside the head at his stupidity. I mean really who teaches their kid how to climb out of his crib....silly pool man....

Sorry, I just got off track, after the V Dub was painted I ordered this striped rug to pull in some color:

 

It is from Pottery Barn kids, but I got it off Ebay for a lot less... A. LOT.

And added the cute sock monkey to his shelf. This monkey creeps my mom out...Sorry mom, I kinda like him!

 

Along with the sock monkey sits this vintage reproduction lunch box. Yes it is metal and just like the one I used to carry as a kid with my thermos of Tang to elementary school everyday. What your mom didn't give you Tang as a kid? This is now the "daycare lunch pail", I got over the weekend in Long Beach at Powell's Sweet Shoppe :

 

 

After I received a package with some stencils from sweet little Byrd and it was decorated with this little tag, an idea hit me...I have lots of ideas...it drives the pool man nuts, luckily this idea didn't involve him or tearing down any walls:

 

Why not just paint #'s down the whole dresser...that way when my son is old enough, I can say grab some socks from drawer #3 and meet me in the car with your sac lunch, Tang included and backpack!

 

I decided to sand the #'s down a bit so they look more like this now:

 

Ahh, much better. Drawer # 4 is filled to the brim with hand made blankets for my punk.

Drawer # 1: I can't even tell you what is in there.

Drawer #2: more of the I can't tell you what is even in there.

Drawer # 3: does have some socks and probably more of the I can't even tell you what is in there...

You get the idea. I guess I should have spent the weekend organizing rather then painting #'s!

Anyhoo, then came these sweet frames. I ordered 3 in all from this Talented lady.

And yes, I am fully aware i need to add photos in the frames...the pool man mentioned this as well....probably after I yelled at him for teaching my kid gymnastic rolls out of his crib.

 

 

And then the funniest thing happened, the same day Mr. Waterman came to paint the olde VW bus, I walked past an antique shoppe on Del Mar and low and behold this Q~T sat parked smiling at me.

I ran home told the pool man, and Mr. Waterman who I am sure was tired of me talking about VW buses by this time and called my mom and probably told the neighbor too...

I ran back and grabbed it. It now sits on the dresser, untouched by my little punks hands...

 

That's all folks...just a little makeover since my baby will be 2 in exactly one month! No more Nursery, now a toddler room. I will be adding a baby gate in front of his door soon and bolting the dresser to wall next weekend, as I for-see those gymnastic rolls being performed off the top of his dresser if my punk gets the chance. And, yes it can be a circus around here.

Cheers to Mr. Waterman for making my  V Dub vision come true and to mini makeovers!

P.S. Don't worry I won't put Tang in my kids Sac lunch, so you can just leave that out of your comments...! Te hee!

P.S.S. Mr. Waterman is actually a friend of ours, I just like to call him Mr. Waterman it has a cool ring to it and yes he is for "hire" if you live locally, just tell him Tara sent you....you might hear a loud :::sigh::: immediately following the mention of my name, just move right along!

Reference: Paint color is Chocolate Chunk by Dunn Edwards~ Polka Dots are Vanilla Shake also by Dunn Edwards~

 

 

 

Darling~

I am not sure I like the title of this post, but that is the only word I could find that expressed exactly how I feel about these photos. I am also not sure how I found this website, because it is all in German, but I have been sitting here for over an hour day dreaming and admiring each little photo, space, and detail. It is amazing how home decor is a universal language of sorts.

Enjoy, there are a lot of images, I just couldn't choose...however, I am sure my boss would chose for me to be working, but I thought this post was Wayyyyy, did I say way? ...more important!

You can thank me later...te hee!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do you see that teenie tiny car in the back parked on the book? Uh, how cute is that?

I know I know, the whole photo is amazing with all the WHITE...but that car...love it!

 

 

This particular photo is my favorite...

 

But, on second thought...

 

This one could run a close second...

 

 

 

 

 And I might have saved the best for last....

 

Oh dear, I could go on and on with the photos from his on-line store, but since I have about 6 more hours of work and I haven't done anything productive yet to speak of, i must be going & follow the working world rules...PLUK, ACK...

But what the heck, I love breakin' the rules, so I am off to read through my blog roll now and visit all you super incredible/inspirational girls ::sigh:: I just don't know how you girls can be so creative, and entertaining...what did I ever do before blogging?

'til next time, may you find your inspiration in the curious of places!

XOXO~

 

~All photos from Car Moebel~

 

Ruffles for Me, Please~

I am addicted to ruffles...and pleats as you all know now! I wanted to have some fun this Friday with my fashion post, so I decided it is a Mommy and Me sort of ruffly Fashion Friday! Whew, that was a mouthful!

Since, I don't have a daughter and I don't know how the pool man would feel if I dressed my son up in ruffly dresses and pants I decided to find my inspiration on-line....& not at home...

Ready?

Set?

Go....

 

 

Sweet Plum

 

Polka Dot Paisley

   

 

Artsie Girl

 

 Daper Duds

 

Sugar Belle Chic

 

Eden's Boutique

   

Eden's Boutique

 

 

Sarah Seven

 

 

Claire LaFaye

 

Hollystalder

 

PinarEris

 

Ruche

 

Ruche ~ Spotty tux Bib Country Dress

 

Ruche

Few, that was a lot of ruffles, huh? 

I thought you should know there are a few things I am thoroughly convinced about, here goes:

1. I need a baby girl to pinch & squeeze & dress up in ruffles. NOW.

2. Ruffles can be really Sexy. AMEN.

3. I am smitten with the photography in all of these photos. {{jaw drop added here}}

4. I have too much time on my hands. APPARENTLY.

5.  I need the spotty Tux Bib Country Dress shown above for summer. FOR SURE.

6. I am not sure why you girls read this silly ole blog.

I MEAN REALLY?

7. The weekend is here and I feel a serious Cheer coming on. BARE WITH ME.

{{ I will be right back with my pom poms}}

8. I have way too much time on my hands. APPARENTLY.

9. I can't stand the taste of tomatoes. 

I AM CRAVING CHIPS & SALSA.

10. I can't wait for Happy Hour. IT IS 8:00 AM.

CHEERS!

Now... go forth and prosper!

 

P.S. Swing on by The Wild Raspberry Sisters blog for an adorable mommie and me fashion Friday! 

 

 

 

 

 

Finding the Balance~

The other night my heart hurt. For two reasons mainly, one: I don't get to spend every waking moment with my baby, because I am a working mom and two: because this baby is hurting. I sat and I cried for a good hour or more for both of these reasons, even though the first reason doesn't pale in comparison to the second, I still couldn't let it go. I just sat there on my bed as my little guy slept, and I could hear him making those baby noises that drove me to put him in his crib at 6 weeks and out of our room. I love those noises now, I feed off them because they re-assure me at night that he is ok.

I am a working mom, and I know I am judged by others. I know this. When I brought my little guy home from the hospital I knew I had exactly 4 months to be home with him. I counted the days and made sure to treasure them one by one as they passed. We did everything together, everything from taking morning walks, to meeting grandma for lunch to afternoon naps on the couch. I miss those naps. I loved every single minute. The day I had to go back to work, my heart hurt. It wanted to burst. My new baby and our "new life" would have a new normal as I was now labeled a working mom.

Time moved forward and for the last two years, we have found our routine and most days it is ok, other days I miss him terribly. When he was diagnosed with Epilepsy the pool man and I talked about whether I should sell my house and stay home with him on a full time basis.  I cried about it a lot. Did I say a lot? Good cause I mean it. I knew I needed to be there for him, I knew I needed to be a stay at home mom. I knew things would be different.

However, as the days went on, and we didn't change a thing, I knew what we needed, we needed to find our balance. Our balance of love and his balance of freedom. My son is pretty lucky he gets to be with his grandmas at our home two days out of the week, and then he gets to spend time at  daycare 3 days a week with a wonderful lady that gushes over him as much as I do. He gets to learn how to share, to grow and play with other kids his age. He found this amazing balance so quickly and so easily I knew I could not disrupt this to make myself feel better. I had to trust those people above to take care of my son, the same way I would. And, they do.

Some days this is easy. Some days I hurt. The other day I hurt bad.  But, I have learned something from my son who is not even 2 yet, it is all about the balance you have in life. The juggling of free time. The pure essence of mommy time. The ability to spend time with your girl friends. True time. With YOU all there. The quiet time with your husband. Even if you don't say a word to each other.  The alone time we all need to think and sort out the impossible. Balance, it is all about balance. Knowing when it say no. When to say yes. When to say enough is enough. When to love, when to fight and when to let go. Balance can be tricky but when you got it...you got it.

We have a balance, I have to remind myself of this often. When I miss my son I have to go back to this idea. When others judge me, I have to go back and remind myself of the balance. When I hurt, I need to allow myself to hurt...that is just the way it is. Life goes on and I have to grasp it and live it the fullest.  Everyday.

Cheers to finding the Balance~

 

Amazing photography by Tuscany Studios found through Etsy. Kate, also has an whimsical and romantic jewelry line through Etsy called Faded Roses, go on have a look see...it can't hurt!

~All photos used with permission~  

P.S. Please pray for this baby, he needs to know that there is a better life waiting for him to jump into, a normal life.  Whatever that is....